[Cat and Dog Nutrition Guide] Which cat and dog food should I choose? How can I tell if my pet is eating well?

Cat and Dog Nutrition Guide: How to choose nutritionally balanced products for your furry friends?

The dietary health of your pet is a topic that every pet owner is most concerned about. However, with the wide variety of cat and dog food on the market, do you know how to choose products that meet balanced nutrition? From "high-protein diet" to "grain-free cat food", Pettington takes you to understand the truth behind the AAFCO standards and helps you choose high-quality food that is truly suitable for your pet.

Nutrients vs. Ingredients: Don’t Just Look at the Ingredients List When Choosing Cat or Dog Food

What are the key things that our pets need? When it comes to "ingredients", the first thing that comes to mind is chicken breast, beef, and tuna. However, simply looking at the ingredients is not enough to maintain the health of your pets. You can pay more attention to whether the "nutrients" in the food are complete and balanced, such as whether it contains protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc. Nutrients can better reflect the nutritional value than ingredients!!

Many owners think that "ingredients" are the key, for example, they think chicken breast, beef, and tuna are the most nutritious. But in fact, nutrients are the most important indicators, including protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc., which are essential substances for animals to maintain life and health.

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) states that a "complete and balanced" cat or dog food must contain all the essential nutrients your furry companion needs and meet age- and breed-specific standards. Simply looking at ingredients alone doesn't reflect the overall nutritional value.

Is high-protein cat food really better? Debunking the myth

For cats, a diet high in protein may not necessarily be beneficial. If the protein source is poor, it can overburden the kidneys and increase the risk of chronic disease. Therefore, it's important to pay attention to the protein source, quality, and overall nutritional structure.

Many people believe that cats, being carnivores, need a high-protein diet. However, this isn't entirely true. Cats are obligate carnivores, and their protein needs are indeed higher than those of dogs. The American Academy of Fisheries and Environmental Health recommends that adult cats consume at least 25% protein.

However, nutritional research indicates that a diet high in protein isn't necessarily beneficial to health . If the protein source is poor (poor digestibility) or the ratio is unbalanced, it can actually burden the kidneys, lead to excessive urine acidification, and even increase the risk of chronic diseases. This is why a balanced diet is more important than relying solely on high protein.

Pettington Reminder:
When purchasing, please pay attention to the protein source, quality and overall nutritional structure, rather than blindly pursuing numbers.

Do Dogs and Cats Need Carbohydrates? Nutrition Explained

Do dogs and cats need carbohydrates? They need carbohydrates to obtain energy. The right amount of carbohydrates can maintain digestive health, promote satiety, reduce fat accumulation, support intestinal flora, etc. A balanced formula is often better than blindly pursuing low carbohydrates. Special reminder: For pets with special health conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease, please be sure to consult a veterinarian for advice and adjust their diet.

Many online discussions believe that "carbohydrates are bad things" and "low-carb cat and dog food should be chosen", and even advocate that grain-free food is healthier. But in fact, carbohydrates are one of the energy sources for pets, and also help proteins and fats perform physiological functions.

AAFCO points out that although dogs tend to be omnivorous, they can effectively digest cooked carbohydrates . Although cats are carnivorous animals, a small amount of carbohydrates can also provide fiber and energy. As long as the formula is properly designed, carbohydrates will not only not "harm" your furry friends, but also help maintain digestive tract health and promote satiety.

Studies have found that a moderate amount of carbohydrates can reduce fat accumulation and support intestinal flora. However, "grain-free" does not mean "no carbohydrates". Many grain-free foods use potatoes, peas, etc. to provide carbohydrate sources, which owners should pay attention to.

Pettington recommends:
Don't blindly pursue low-carb foods. Instead, pay attention to whether the formula is complete and balanced and whether the source is high-quality. This is the best nutritional strategy for your furry pet.

Special reminder:
For pets with special health conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease , carbohydrate intake may need to be specially controlled. Please be sure to consult a veterinarian and adjust their diet according to professional advice.

Fats and essential fatty acids: essential for balanced nutrition

In addition to providing high-density energy, fat is also a major source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, which contribute to healthy skin and hair and support the immune system. However, excessive fat intake may increase the risk of obesity and pancreatitis.

AAFCO standards recommend a minimum fat content of 5.5% for dogs and 9% for cats. Cats, in particular, need additional arachidonic acid, which can only be obtained from animal fat.

No matter how much the market emphasizes slogans such as "natural" and "wild diet", AAFCO standards are the authoritative basis for protecting the health of your furry friends. Don't be fooled by the fancy words on the packaging. Pettington believes that choosing a reputable brand with complete labeling is the most responsible attitude towards your furry friends.